The trigger bomb is a remote detonated version of Bentley's regular bombs. In Sly 2 and Sly 3, when a trigger bomb is thrown, the same button used to throw it can be used to detonate it. In Thieves in Time the trigger bomb is detonated by pressing . If multiple bombs have been thrown, and the appropriate upgrade has been purchased, holding detonates them simultaneously. Trigger bombs will explode if they are thrown into water, hit, or if Bentley becomes too distant from them. Any enemy within the blast of the trigger bomb will be affected the same way they would be from the normal bomb; they either become dazed or are taken out, depending on their health and whether or not they have been knocked out via Bentley's Sleep Darts.

In Sly 2: Band of Thieves, the trigger bomb is available from the start of Episode 1: The Black Chateau, where it can be bought on ThiefNet for 200 Coins. In Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Bentley is given the trigger bomb from the beginning of the game.